Boss wants to end week with win

12 August 2016

mkdons.com

Karl Robinson is looking to cap off a positive week with a victory in Saturday’s home opener against Millwall.

Robinson’s men have won their first two competitive outings this season and will look to stretch that run to three when they entertain the Lions at Stadium MK, although the Liverpudlian is fully aware of the difficult challenge his side face against last season’s League One play-off finalists.

“Millwall are clear favourites to get promoted so it'll be a huge challenge for us,” Robinson said ahead of the match.

“As a squad we're not ready yet - we still want two more to come in and we go into it without a fully fit Dean Bowditch and Scott Wootton and without Ben Reeves, Chuks Aneke and Samir Carruthers.

“If we can get three points on Saturday then we'll have six in total and a cup win with the kids – it won't be a bad week.”

One player who is expected to feature for Millwall on Saturday is Shaun Williams, who returns to Stadium MK for the first time since leaving the Club to join the Londoners back in January 2014.

Williams’ departure came during a real transition period for the Dons, which provoked Robinson to reflect on the changes that have occurred over the past three years.

“Shaun was a tremendous servant for us and it'll be good to see him back out on that pitch. We know he’ll be striking it from all over the place, and what a threat he is from set pieces.”

He continued: “I was disappointed to lose him but we'd run our race together, so we sat down and worked it out.

“Like we’re doing now I had to shift the team. As manager, you have to do that, and I'm never frightened of doing it. I've let go characters and fans favourites in order for the club to move forward.

“Looking at the last team picture he was in, there's probably seven players left – it has been an amazing turn around and we've had to do it again this summer.

“If a manager stays around for too long, it can go stale. To have that longevity you have to have the right number of players going in and out the door.

Since January, I think 20 players have gone and that's scary – in six months, the turnaround has been drastic.

“This year, we've brought in players we know are going to play. Paul Downing, Scott Wootton, Ed Upson and now Kieran - they're all in their mid-20s. They're not kids any more. They've got a lot of experience too, and promotion experience. We're bringing in players who know how to win.”